Ontario hospital staff subjected to a disturbing pandemic surge in physical and sexual violence; new CUPE poll finds

COVID-19, Health and Safety, Health Care

TORONTO, ON – Pandemic tensions and unprecedented hospital staffing shortages are fueling already high rates of violence – including sexual harassment and assaults – against Ontario’s mostly female hospital workforce, a new poll of 2300 front-line registered practical nurses (RPNs), PSWs, porters, cleaners, and other front-line hospital staff, reveals. Polling conducted by Oracle Research on…

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Libraries’ drag story hours are about positivity & inclusivity: Statement from CUPE Ontario’s Library Workers committee

Municipal, Solidarity

As Pride month draws to a close, CUPE library workers in Ontario wish to express again their solidarity with the LGBTQ2+ community and the continuing fight for equality, justice, dignity and inclusion. And it is in this sprit of solidarity that we challenge and condemn the intolerance shown against those Ontario libraries that hold Drag Queen…

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Image shows Queen's Park buildings, looking north from University Avenue's broad street.

CUPE Ontario continuing opposition to provincial wage cap restrictions

Bill 124, COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

“Let’s be real, it’s predominantly female workers who’ve had wages capped by Bill 124 while predominantly male workers, like police officers and firefighters, were exempted,” said Lisa Barker, a registered practical nurse and union member. “Those of us who are nurses, nutritionists, personal support workers and development service workers like Frederica, save lives and provide…

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Image shows a healthcare worker in full PPE standing in a hospital hallway, looking at the screen of a tall piece of electronic equipment.

Ford says wage increase for Ontario public school teachers will be ‘more than 1 per cent’

Bill 124, CUPE Ontario in the Media

His comments come as the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) — which represents 55,000 education and other frontline workers in Ontario — held a news conference at Queen’s Park to call for an end to the controversial bill, which also limits the wages of those working in the province’s health-care system. “In light of…

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“Repeal Bill 124”: CUPE Ontario launches campaign to support frontline workers

Bill 124, Child Care, Governmental, Health Care, Municipal, Paramedics, School Boards, Social Services, University

Toronto, ON – Now’s the time to finally repeal the Constitution-violating legislation which caps total compensation, including wages, for public sector workers to only 1 per cent, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario during a press conference. “The Ford Conservatives have simply done nothing to deal with the skyrocketing cost of living,”…

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Education workers shocked by hiring of $200K backroom boss as 11 frontline staff are cut

School Boards, Solidarity

Belleville, ON – In a do-over meeting on Monday, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) trustees adopted the exact same 2022-2023 budget they had declined just last week, this time with a five-to-four vote. The now approved budget for the next school year starting in September cements previously rejected cuts of 11 frontline…

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